Quilling Tips for Scrapbookers
by Alison from the About Scrapbooking Forum
Part I: Supplies Needed

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People are always asking me questions about quilling…how to do it, where I get ideas, whether I work from patterns or not, how I store and organize supplies, where I buy tools and paper, and so forth.  I’m by no means an expert, but maybe I can offer some useful tips or insight for those of you new to quilling.

Supplies Needed

Quilling is very easy.  It just takes some patience and practice, and, of course, the right tools and supplies.  So, what do you need to buy to get started with quilling? 

First, you need a quilling tool of some kind to roll the paper strips on.  I prefer a slotted quilling needle for ease of use (costs about $3), but you can also use a regular quilling needle, a hat pin, or even a round toothpick.

Second, you need paper strips to work with.  The most common width of paper to work with is 1/8”.  You may want a small supply of wider strips for when you want a fringed look for certain flowers and other things, but other than that, you’ll probably never need wider strips than the standard 1/8”.  Some people cut their own strips with a paper shredder (it has to be the kind that cuts 1/8” wide strips...most don't) or a paper trimmer, but I prefer to buy mine.  I get mine for about $1.40-1.45 per 100-strip single-color package, and it’s worth it. 

By using store-bought strips, I’m assured that my paper is always the perfect weight to curl correctly, a uniform width, and a good length for a variety of quilling needs, and there are dozens of colors to pick from for anything I may want to quill.  Of course, there’s also the little matter of me being way too lazy to search for paper that’s the right size, weight, and color and then spend a lot of time cutting it perfectly.  I’d rather spend that time actually quilling! 

However, if you’re just starting out and don’t want to invest a lot of money in a craft you may not like, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to cut your own for your first few projects.  If you choose to go that route, you should be aware that cardstock-weight paper is, in most cases, too heavy and stiff to work with.  You’ll need to find solid-color lightweight papers to cut into strips.  The paper will also need to have color on both the front and back as well as all the way through it.  In other words, it can’t be colored only on the surface and have a white center, or it will essentially ruin the look of the quilling.

Third, you need glue.  I recommend Scrappy Glue, which is about $5 a bottle, but lasts a very, very long time.  It holds well, dries quickly, and is clear once it dries, which are all important qualities for quilling glue.  When you are gluing your individual pieces or are gluing your design together, I recommend putting a small amount of glue on a piece of scrap paper and then dipping a flat toothpick in it.  Then you can just use the toothpick to spread the glue where you need it.  Simple! 

To glue your finished design to paper, follow these easy steps:

1.      Spread a fairly thin layer of glue on scrap paper, covering an area approximately the size of your quilled piece.

2.      Place the quilled item on top of the glue and press down lightly to get an even coat of glue on the bottom of it.

3.      Use a pair of tweezers to carefully pick the item up, then place it exactly where you want it.  Don’t move it once it has touched the paper, because it will leave glue residue where you don’t want it.

4.      Press down and hold the item for a few seconds until the glue is sufficiently dry.

Fourth, while not essential, I recommend buying a small piece of thick cork or a quilling board made of cork to work on.  I have one that is about 5” X 10” in size, and I keep it on my lap as I work.  I have a piece of wax paper pinned to it so that my items don’t stick to it if glue gets on the board.  I mostly use this board for assembling my designs.  I use straight pins with plastic heads on them to hold items in place while I arrange the pieces and then glue them together to make the finished design.

If you’re wondering where I buy my supplies, these are three websites I have personally purchased quilling supplies from in the past and have had a positive experience with:
http://www.whimsiquills.com/index.htm
http://www.ericas.com/crafts/quilling/
http://www.quilledcreations.com/

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